Chapter 3 #3
“Certainly. I look forward to hearing what you think.”
“And what was your final opinion?” She regarded him with great interest.
Knowing the ending was perhaps “shocking,” Roman hadn’t been able to turn the pages fast enough last night.
He’d been disappointed actually, for he’d expected something momentous.
Then he’d remembered what Harriet had said.
“I imagine there will be Society ladies who don’t care for it, but I think the controversy will ensure it finds great popularity. ”
“You are in favor of publishing it then?”
“I am.” Roman hoped Harriet wouldn’t be upset. He wouldn’t know today because she didn’t come to these kinds of meetings.
Roman guided Ellis from the shop into the counting room at the back, where another clerk was recording receipts in the ledger.
Charles Appleby was nearing forty and had worked for Josiah Lacey for nearly a decade.
He oversaw the shop, and Briggs and lived upstairs in the top floor with his wife.
Mrs. Appleby kept the shop and offices tidy.
Roman led Ellis up a narrow flight of creaky stairs to the first floor and onto a landing. He gestured toward the front of the building. “Josiah’s office is this way. That’s where we’ll be meeting.”
Motioning for Ellis to precede him into the office, Roman noted her reaction as she surveyed the room.
Josiah’s office was far grander than Roman’s study.
The polished oak of the wainscoting and the bookcases gleamed in the afternoon light streaming through the tall windows that looked over Paternoster Row.
A seating area with dark green velvet chairs and a matching settee that easily held three or even four people was situated before the hearth.
Josiah’s large French desk was situated near the windows, and there was a rectangular table with six chairs.
It was usually covered with proofs and folios, but it was completely clean today, save the second copy of A Season in Shadow.
Roman inclined his head toward the windows. “There, you can see St. Paul’s again,” he whispered.
She glanced at him, and the edge of her mouth ticked up. “I do.”
He caught another glimpse of the woman behind the beard and found himself enchanted.
“Come in,” Josiah said, standing from behind the desk and breaking Roman’s trance. “We’re just awaiting Miss Brightly.”
“Is that the author’s name?” Ellis asked almost sharply.
Margot had been perched on a small chair beside the desk and also stood. “It is.” She looked toward Roman. “Keele, what is your decision about acquiring A Season in Shadow?”
Roman could see that Margot was most eager to hear his opinion. “I agree with you—if we don’t publish it, we’ll regret not doing so.”
“Then it’s settled,” Josiah said. “I plan to offer Miss Brightly one hundred and fifty pounds for the copyright.”
“That is a very attractive offer.” Roman hoped the author was open to selling the copyright. Some were not.
The sound of the stairs creaking carried to the office. Everyone’s attention darted to the doorway.
“That must be the author now,” Josiah said.
A moment later, a surprisingly young woman swept into the office. She wore a military-style blue spencer over a blue and white striped gown with minimal decoration on the hem. Roman thought she looked stylish, but he did not keep up on current fashions, particularly women’s.
Ellis drew in a sharp but soft breath. Roman snapped his head toward his secretary. The sound she’d made was not loud enough to carry to anyone else, and the flicker of recognition in her gaze was gone as quickly as he detected it. Perhaps he was mistaken.
He shifted his focus to Miss Brightly and could have sworn he saw the same flash of recognition in her expression, but it was quickly replaced with confusion.
“Miss Euphemia Brightly?” Roman asked. “I am Lord Keele.”
Miss Brightly dipped a curtsy. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
Roman caught Ellis’s expression. She had her lips pressed together as if she were trying not to laugh or smile, but that didn’t make sense. What was going on between her and Miss Brightly?
He looked back to the author, but she still appeared perplexed. “This is Mr. Lacey and his daughter, Miss Lacey.”
Miss Brightly walked over to the desk and held out her hand to Margot. “I’ve enjoyed our correspondence.”
“I have too,” Margot said warmly.
Roman noted that Miss Brightly went to Margot first instead of Josiah.
She ought to have addressed him first, but perhaps she didn’t know that.
Except her clothing and demeanor gave him the impression she was Quality.
Why was she writing novels? She was of a marriageable age and very beautiful, with blonde hair and wide, blue-green eyes that reminded him of the sea on a summer day.
Indeed, she was an ideal English beauty.
Miss Brightly turned her attention to Josiah. “Mr. Lacey, I do appreciate you meeting with me today. It is my honor to have your interest in my book.”
“I’m delighted to meet you,” Josiah said. “My daughter cannot stop raving about your novel. I confess I found it rather provocative. It’s sure to generate a great deal of conversation.”
Roman agreed. Miss Brightly had penned a story that would surely set Society on its ear, for the protagonist of the novel, Miss Dinah Peabody, does not end up wed despite having two very different suitors.
Instead of choosing either of them, she chooses herself.
Rather, she chooses to be an independent woman, which her aunt’s wealth will allow.
“I hope that means you enjoyed it,” Miss Brightly said coyly.
“I did, in fact,” Josiah replied, though Roman didn’t think his enthusiasm for the content matched his daughter’s. Instead, Josiah almost certainly saw the potential for great sales because of the novel’s controversial ending.
“I liked it immensely,” Roman said, drawing Miss Brightly’s regard. “I found it very interesting and unique.”
“I should like to read it,” Ellis said.
Roman realized he’d been remiss in introducing her. “Miss Brightly, this is my secretary, Mr. Ellis. He’ll be recording notes from our meeting day.”
That look of recognition flashed—very briefly—again in Miss Brightly’s gaze. One of her sculpted blonde brows arched. “Mr. Ellis?”
Ellis nodded. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Brightly.”
“Likewise,” the author murmured with the faintest hint of a smile.
Once again, Roman had the sense there was something going on. In fact, he was almost certain of it. Did the author know Ellis? More accurately, did Miss Brightly know Ellis as a woman? She would have to. Roman didn’t think Ellis had masqueraded as a man in any other situation.
“Shall we sit?” Josiah extended his arm toward the table and moved toward the chair at the head. “Come sit beside me, Miss Brightly.” Josiah indicated the seat to his left.
Margot went to take the chair on her father’s right, and Roman hastened to hold it for her.
He nearly did the same for Ellis before recalling that she was a man.
He needed to stop thinking of her as a woman, but that had become difficult since he’d made out the distinct feminine curve of her backside.
He’d also noticed that she let her voice pitch upward when they were alone.
He assumed that her natural voice, which, while deeper than most women, was still deliciously feminine.
Delicious?
Yes. He found the lower timbre of her tone utterly alluring.
“I don’t see any point in prevaricating,” Josiah began. “Miss Brightly, we would like to publish your novel. I’m prepared to offer one hundred and fifty pounds to purchase the copyright.”
Miss Brightly smiled, but right away, Roman could see this was not what she wanted. Whilst she appeared pleased, her expression lacked satisfaction along with her joy.
“I’m so glad you’re interested in publishing A Season in Shadow, however, I have been advised by my solicitor not to sell the copyright. In fact, I would prefer you negotiate the terms of a commission-style arrangement with him directly, if you are amenable to that.”
“Are you sure you want a commission arrangement?” Josiah asked. “If the novel isn’t successful, you won’t make nearly as much as you would if you sold the copyright.”
“And if it is successful, I stand to earn much more,” she said slyly. “Forgive me, but I do think this novel has the potential to be in high demand.”
“I do too,” Margot said. “We’ll do a commission if that’s what you prefer.” She glanced toward her father, whose brows had shot up as soon as she revised the offer.
Margot had never done that before, and it wasn’t really her place.
Still, Roman couldn’t see Josiah being angry with her.
He allowed Margot ample participation in Lacey and Company with regard to the publishing side of the business.
As their sole remaining child, he and Harriet didn’t deny her anything, as far as Roman could tell.
“I’d also support a commission arrangement,” Roman said, and Margot sent him a grateful smile. He focused on the author. “You’re a shrewd businesswoman, Miss Brightly.”
She met his gaze with a fiery stare. “I’ve nothing to lose, my lord.”
“Now I really can’t wait to read the book,” Ellis said.
It seemed to Roman that his secretary could scarcely keep from smiling.
Her eyes were aglow as she regarded Miss Brightly with something akin to…
pride? It could be that Ellis was simply happy to see another woman’s success, but Roman was certain there was more to it than that.
He looked forward to discovering what that was.
“How shall I contact your solicitor?” Josiah asked.
“He’s actually downstairs,” Miss Brightly said as a touch of pink colored her cheeks. “I brought him—and my aunt—along in case you made an offer of publication.”
Josiah chuckled. “Well, I admire your confidence, Miss Brightly. And I can’t say I’m surprised by it. I expected the author of A Season in Shadow to be a singular person. Your writing is as astute as it is enchanting.”
“Thank you.” Miss Brightly’s expression now held satisfaction—and pride—along with her substantial joy. “I’ll just go downstairs and fetch my solicitor and aunt.” She started to stand, but Margot waved her down.
“I need to be on my way shortly, and I’d be happy to send them up,” Margot said. “My mother will be arriving to fetch me. We’ve a shopping excursion planned.” She rose.
Roman stood with Josiah and noted that Ellis didn’t move from her chair. She was focused on Miss Brightly. Roman made a sound in his throat. Ellis snapped her gaze toward him and bolted to her feet.
Josiah glanced at Margot. “I’ll walk you downstairs.” He transferred his attention to Miss Brightly. “I’ll invite your aunt and solicitor to come back up with me.”
Miss Brightly smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Lacey.” She looked to Margot. “It really was lovely to meet you.”
“I do hope we will see each other again whilst you’re in London,” Margot said. “Perhaps we can meet at the library on New Bond Street.”
“Perhaps,” Miss Brightly replied in a noncommittal tone. Roman wondered why she was being evasive.
As soon as the Laceys departed the office, Roman strode quickly to the door and mostly closed it, leaving just an inch of space. He positioned himself there so he could see when Josiah returned with the others, but he speared a stare toward the women sitting together at the table.
“Quickly, how do you two know one another?”